95 



S. The observations made by the moderns, tend to 

 persuade us, that the moon has an atmosphere, though 

 very rare. la a total eclipse of the sun, there ap 

 pears about the disk of the moon, a glimmering ra- 

 diance, parallel to its circumference, which becomes 

 more and more extenuated, or rare, as it diverges 

 from it. This, perhaps, is no other than an effect 

 proceeding from such a fluid as air ; which by reason 

 of its weight and elasticity, is rather more dense at 

 bottom than at top. With a telescope we easily dis- 

 cern in the moon, parts more elevated, and more 

 bright than others, which are judged to be mountains. 

 We discern also other parts lower aid less bright, 

 which seem to be Tallies lying between those mown* 

 tains. And there are other parts, which reflecting 

 less light, and presenting one uniform smooth surface, 

 arc supposed to be large pieces of water. If the moon 

 then has its collections of water, its atmosphere, its 

 mountains, and its vallies ; it is thence inferred, that 

 there may also be rain there, and snow, and all the 

 other aerial commotions natural to such a situation ; 

 and our idea of the wisdom and power of God inti- 

 mates to U5, that he may have placed creatures there to 

 inhabit it ; rather than that all this display of his skill 

 should be a mere waste. 



6. The ancients, who had not the aid of telescopes, 

 supplied the defect of that instrument by a vivacity 

 of penetration ; for without the means that we have, 

 they have deduced all those consequences that are 

 admitted by the moderns : and discovered long before 

 by the mental eye, whatever hath since been pre- 

 sented to corporeal sight through the medium of tele, 

 scopes. 



7. We see by some fragments of theirs in how sub- 

 lime a manner, and worthy of the majesty of the 

 Deity, they entered into the views of that supreme 

 being in his destination of the planets, and that mul- 

 titude of stars placed by him in the firmament. They 



